Systems and devices for identification of a feature associated with a user in a gaming establishment and related methods

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems of monitoring at least one feature associated with a patron in a gaming establishment. Such methods and systems may include detecting at least one physical feature associated with the patron and/or motions of one or more players participating in a game.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of IndianProvisional Patent Application Serial No. 201941040664, filed Oct. 9,2019, for “SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR IDENTIFICATION OF A FEATUREASSOCIATED WITH A USER IN A GAMING ESTABLISHMENT AND RELATED METHODS,”the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by thisreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, andrelated methods for identification of features related to a user orplayer interacting with such devices and systems. More particularly, thepresent disclosure relates to devices, systems, and related methods thatemploy one or more biometric identification techniques including, forexample, facial recognition or object recognition for use in wageringgame devices and systems, such as lottery, casino, and other wageringsystems.

BACKGROUND

In gaming establishments, various methods have been implemented tomonitor and/or identify patrons of the gaming establishment. Forexample, gaming devices and systems have incorporated biometrictechnology. For example, biometric technology has been incorporated intogaming devices to aid in the electronic transfer of funds. Additionally,gaming systems use biometric technology, such as an anonymous facialrecognition system, in connection with player bonusing. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 8,972,299, issued Mar. 3, 2015, to Bally Gaming, Inc., thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by thisreference, discloses systems, gaming devices, and methods forbiometrically identifying a player, where the capture of the biometricinformation is undisclosed to the player. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.8,972,299, the captured biometric information may be used to verify aplayer's age, prevent underage gambling, promote responsible gaming, andauthorize and/or authenticate an electronic funds transfer.

However, current casino and lottery gaming systems lack the ability toemploy biometric identification over a range of platforms to enhance theexperience of the patron and/or to increase the revenue of the gamingestablishment.

Further, with the implementation of cameras capturing one or morefeatures of the patrons participating in the game, such data may beutilized to further enhance the experience of the patron at the gamingestablishment.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a method ofmonitoring a patron in a gaming establishment. The method may include,at a first gaming location in the gaming establishment, detecting, witha detection device, at least one physical feature associated with thepatron of the gaming establishment; receiving, at a processor, the atleast one detected physical feature; analyzing, with the processor, atleast a portion of the at least one detected physical feature;associating, with the processor, data from the first gaming locationwith an account associated with the patron; at a second non-gaminglocation in the gaming establishment, detecting, with another detectiondevice, the at least one physical feature associated with the patron ofthe gaming establishment; receiving, at the processor, the at least onedetected physical feature; analyzing, with the processor, the at least aportion of the at least one detected physical feature; and addingadditional data from the second non-gaming location to the accountassociated with the patron.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a system formonitoring a patron in a gaming establishment. The system including abiometric identification device; a remote processor; and a gamingdevice. The system is configured to at the gaming device in the gamingestablishment, detect, with the biometric identification device, facialfeatures associated with the patron at the gaming establishment;receive, at the remote processor, the facial features and data relatingto actions of the patron at the gaming device; analyze, with the remoteprocessor, at least a portion of the facial features; determine whetheran account associated with the patron exists based on the analyzing ofthe facial features; and associate the data relating to actions of thepatron at the gaming device with the account associated with the patron.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a method ofadministering a game. The method includes displaying, with a displaydevice (e.g., projecting, with a projection device), a feature of thegame at a display location on a gaming surface of a gaming device uponwhich the game is implemented; tracking, with one or more identificationdevices, movement or motion of one or more players participating in thegame at the gaming surface of the gaming device; and in response to themovement or motion of the one or more players proximate the displaylocation, altering the feature of the game with the display device.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a system foradministering a wagering game. The system includes a gaming devicehaving a gaming surface for performing the wagering game thereon, adisplay device (e.g., projection device) positioned proximate the gamingsurface and configured to display one or more images on the gamingsurface, and one or more identification devices. The system isconfigured to: detect, with the one or more identification devices, afeature associated with a player participating in the wagering game atthe gaming surface; and, in response to detection the feature associatedwith the player participating in the wagering game, project, with thedisplay device, a feature of the wagering game at a display location onthe gaming surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be understood more fully by reference to thefollowing detailed description of example embodiments, which areillustrated in the appended figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a system that may be implementedat a gaming establishment in order to monitor the activity of a user inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a network system in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a system that may be implementedat a gaming establishment in order to monitor the activity of a user orother related items in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a system that may be implementedat a gaming establishment in order to monitor the activity of a user orother related items in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a method of monitoring a patron in agaming establishment in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of administering a wagering game inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views ofany system, device, assembly, or component thereof, but are merelyidealized representations employed to describe illustrative embodiments.The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Elements common betweenfigures may retain the same numerical designation.

As used herein, the term “and/or” means and includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” or “about”in reference to a given parameter means and includes to a degree thatone skilled in the art would understand that the given parameter,property, or condition is met with a degree of variance, such as withinacceptable manufacturing tolerances, or wherein the variance is withrespect to a general parameter, such as an orientation. For example, aparameter that is substantially met may be at least about 90% met, atleast about 95% met, at least about 99% met, or even 100% met.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, devices, andmethods that may be utilized identify one or more features of a user(e.g., a player, a patron, a customer, a consumer, etc.) in anenvironment, for example, a gaming establishment or gaming environment(e.g., a casino, a provider of lottery games or other wagering orbetting games, a race track, etc.). For example, an identity of the usermay be obtained without requiring any affirmative action by the user asthe user moves around and interacts with the gaming establishment. Suchidentification may be implemented through identifying one or morefeatures of the user via biometric identification (e.g., facialrecognition, fingerprints, hand and/or palm geometry, earlobe geometry,retina and iris patterns, voice waves, DNA, signatures, etc.).

For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming establishment system 100 thatmay be implemented at a gaming establishment (e.g., a casino) in orderto monitor the activity of a user (e.g., patron 102, player). As shownin FIG. 1, the gaming establishment system 100 may identify, track,and/or monitor the patron 102 (e.g., via identification devices orsystems including one or more input devices, such as one or more opticaldevices, for example, video cameras) as the patron 102 moves aroundand/or interacts with portions of the gaming establishment. As depicted,the patron 102 may interact with (e.g., play a wagering game on) one ormore gaming devices (e.g., slot machine 104, table game 108, sports book112). Each of the slot machine 104, the table game 108 and the sportsbook 112 may include a biometric identification device to identify thepatron 102 (e.g., camera device 106, camera device 110, camera device114, respectively). Activity of the patron 102 (e.g., wagering, buy-ins,cash-outs, any indication of interest in certain types of wagering,games, bonus games, jackpot prizes, etc.) at one or more of the slotmachine 104, the table game 108, and the sports book 112 may be loggedand attributed to the identification number 126 of the patron 102 basedon the portions of one or more of the slot machine 104, the table game108, and the sports book 112 with which the patron 102 interacts and/orobserves.

As discussed below in greater detail, it will be appreciated that thecamera devices discussed herein may, in some embodiments, be part of anoverall local and/or remote device or system with associated networksand the necessary hardware (e.g., processor, storage, etc.) necessaryfor capturing and obtaining information from the image capturing devicesof the devices 106, 110.

In some embodiments, the biometric identification devices discussedherein (e.g., the camera devices) may be similar to that disclosed inU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/734,661, filed Sep. 21,2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety bythis reference, and/or U.S. Pat. No. 8,972,299, discussed andincorporated above.

For example, the camera devices may provide a live video stream to abiometric identification device (e.g., a local and/or remote facialrecognition unit). The live video stream is processed by the facialrecognition unit to generate facial biometric data. The facialrecognition software solution may provide a software developers kit(SDK) with basic functionality that allows the facial recognition unitto input faces from the view provided by the cameras into the facialrecognition software solution and receive corresponding biometrics inreturn. For example, the system may determine how many faces are foundin a view, the approximate age of the faces found, and the genders ofthe faces found, for demographic identification and/or gambling ageverification, as will be discussed below.

As discussed below in greater detail, the identification devices, alongwith any related devices, may be in communication with an externalsystem, which may include, in various aspects, one or more networks,other vending machines or terminals, various gaming servers, a patronloyalty database, a remote controller, communications hardware, or avariety of other interfaced systems or components, in any combination.The biometric identification device and its associated local device mayoperate as a thin, thick, or intermediate client and may includeadditional peripheral devices, hardware, firmware, or tangiblemachine-readable storage media including instructions for performing theoperations described herein. Machine-readable storage media includes anymechanism that stores information and provides the information in a formreadable by a machine (e.g., gaming terminal, computer, etc.). Forexample, machine-readable storage media includes read only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), magnetic-disk storage media, optical storagemedia, flash memory, etc.

In an embodiment, the patron 102 may approach the slot machine 104 andbegin a wagering game. Without any intervention by the patron 102 or anoperator or attendant of the gaming establishment, the camera device 106may be utilized to identify the patron 102 and assign the patron 102 anidentification characteristic (e.g., identification number 126,discussed below) to the patron 102. As discussed below, theidentification of the patron 102 may be compared to known identities ofpatrons 102 in a local and/or remote database to determine whether thepatron 102 has been previously identified (e.g., may already have acorresponding identification number 126) or is a new patron 102 (e.g.,may lack a corresponding identification number 126).

In another embodiment, the patron 102 may approach the table game 108and begin a wagering game. Without any intervention by the patron 102 oran operator or attendant of the gaming establishment, the camera device110 may be utilized to identify the patron 102 and assign the patron 102an identification characteristic (e.g., identification number 126,discussed below) to the patron 102. As discussed below, theidentification of the patron 102 may be compared to known identities ofpatrons 102 in a local and/or remote database to determine whether thepatron 102 has been previously identified (e.g., may already have acorresponding identification number 126) or is a new patron 102 (e.g.,may lack a corresponding identification number 126).

In some embodiments, the identification number 126 may be anonymous,where the actual data relating to the patron 102 may not be known or maynot be associated with the identification number 126. As discussedbelow, the identification number 126 or associated account, mayinitially be anonymous (e.g., where the patron 102 may not even be awareof the information being collected). However, personal information beadded to the anonymous account (e.g., by the patron 102) in order toconvert the anonymous account to a known account.

In additional embodiments, the identification number 126 may be (e.g.,initially or after being updated as discussed herein) associated withactual data relating to the patron 102 (e.g., name, age, address,gender, race, demographic information, history, preferences, etc. of thepatron 102) where the identity of the patron 102 matches an identityknown by gaming establishment system 100 and may be associated with theidentification number 126 (e.g., which may be an existing identificationnumber 126).

In some embodiments, the biometric identification device may identifythe patron 102 with or without a player card or other personalidentification (e.g., personal identification number 126 orchallenge-response authentication).

The patron 102 may travel about the gaming establishment and be furtheridentified by the gaming establishment system 100 at additionallocations of the establishment. For example, the patron 102 may enteranother gaming area (e.g., sports book 112) and may be identified bycamera device 114, which may be located at one or more selected areas ofthe sports book 112 (e.g., at a cashier, at wager placing stationoperated by a computer or by a gaming attendant, etc.). Activity of thepatron 102 (e.g., wagering, any indication of interest in certain typesof wagering, teams, players, types of sports, etc.) in the sports book112 may be logged and attributed to the identification number 126 of thepatron 102 based on the portions of the sports book 112 with which thepatron 102 interacts and/or observes.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the gaming establishment system 100 may identifythe patron 102 as the patron 102 travels to and/or interacts with otherportions of the gaming establishment (e.g., non-gaming or non-wageringactivities where, for example, purchases and not wagers are accepted inexchange for goods and/or services). For example, the patron 102 mayvisit a restaurant 116 and/or gift shop 120 associated with (e.g., at)the gaming establishment. Camera device 118 (e.g., at a host/hostessstation) and/or camera device 122 (e.g., at a cashier station, outside afitting room, at certain sales areas within the gift shop 120) mayrespectively identify the patron 102. Activity of the patron 102 in therestaurant 116 and/or gift shop 120 (e.g., purchases, preferences, etc.)may be logged and attributed to the identification number 126 of thepatron 102 based on the portions of the restaurant 116 and/or gift shop120 with which the patron 102 interacts and/or observes.

In some embodiments, additional camera devices (e.g., camera devices106, 110, 114, 118, 122, or one or more general camera devices 134,which are configured for detection rather than basic internet protocol(IP) cameras), which are unassociated with any particular game orcertain locale in the gaming establishment, may be placed throughout thegaming establishment at a variety of locations and not necessarily tiedto a particular gaming or retail area (e.g., configured as securitycamera). Such additional camera devices 134 may be utilized to identifyactivity of the patron 102, or other individuals, as the patron 102moves about the gaming establishment between selected gaming andnon-gaming areas. In some embodiments, such additional camera devices134 (e.g., or one or more of the other camera devices discussed herein)may comprise or be part of an artificial intelligence (AI) system (e.g.,which may be configured for machine learning) that assist in trackingthe journey of the patron 102 as the patron 102 moves around the gamingestablishment (e.g., a gaming resort, a retail lottery store). Forexample, such camera devices 134 may be configured to detect the patron102 (e.g., via facial recognition and analysis), detect activity of thepatron 102 or others around the patron 102 (e.g., a path of travel ofthe patron 102), and/or detect the surrounding environment or scene.Such a configuration may be utilized to monitor the patron's 102 generalactivity in the establishment to further gather data related to thepatron 102 to enhance the patron's 102 current or future visits to thegaming establishment.

While certain wagering and non-wagering activities are mentioned above,it will be appreciated that the gaming establishment system 100 mayidentify the patron 102, along with any related activity, at any otherlocations such as, for example, at any other type of wageringactivities, such as card games areas, bingo areas, lottery games (e.g.,draw lottery, instant lottery, jackpot lottery, pull tabs, keno, etc.),video or computer gaming areas, shows, local or remote activities,shopping malls, bars, golf courses, vending machines, ATMs,transportation centers, parking garages, elevators, entrances and exits,pools, spas, etc.

Each of the various locations of the gaming establishment (e.g., theslot machine 104, the table game 108, the sports book 112, therestaurant 116, the gift shop 120) may be in communication with one ormore central devices, systems, and/or networks of the gamingestablishment system 100 (e.g., computer 124) such that at each locationthe gaming establishment system 100 may communicate with the computer124. For example, the camera devices 106, 110, 114, 118, 122 may be incommunication with another portion of gaming establishment system 100 topass data (e.g., facial images) from the camera devices 106, 110, 114,118, 122 to a local or remote device or server (e.g., computer 124,cloud, network, another server, etc., as discussed below).

As depicted, the identification number 126 (e.g., an account) may beassigned to the patron 102 based on biometric information obtained fromthe patron 102 (e.g., from a particular facial scan). The biometricinformation may be associated with each of the locations of the gamingestablishment system 100 (e.g., an associated device at each location,such as the camera devices 106, 110, 114, 118, 122) that have detectedthe patron 102. For example, each time the gaming establishment system100 detects a facial scan matching a previously stored facial scan(e.g., stored in a database on for example, computer 124) correspondingto the same patron 102 or an unrecognized facial scan indicating a newpatron 102, activity of that patron 102 is then associated with acorresponding identification number 126. The computer 124 may record theinteractions of the patron 102 at each of these locations (e.g., adollar amount spent or received at each location, with an associatedtotal amount, preferences indicated by the patron 102, other actionstaken by the patron 102, etc.) and link those actions to theidentification number 126 for further updating, analysis, and responsiveaction by the gaming establishment. For example, a patron 102 may wagera sufficient amount of money, as tracked by the gaming establishmentsystem 100, to initiate “comps” (i.e., awards) in the form of freemeals, shows, rooms, etc.

In some embodiments, where the patron 102 already has an associatedaccount (e.g., including an existing identification number 126) with thegaming establishment system 100, the patron 102 may be able to accessfunds associated with the account in order to participate in wageringgames and/or to make purchases with the account without the need forproviding documentation of identity (e.g., by verifying the patron's 102identity via biometric information).

In some embodiments, the information associated with the identificationdevice(s) may be used in connection with issuing awards, bonuses, and/orservices to identified patron 102, which may be automatically loadedinto an account associated with the patron 102 and/or the identificationnumber 126. For example, and as depicted, the computer 124 may identifyand catalogue awards that are available to the patron 102 based on theinformation associated with the history of the patron 102 recorded bythe gaming establishment system 100. Such rewards may be given to thepatron 102 based on actions from a current visit, a previous visit, orboth.

In some embodiments, the biometric information may be used to restrictthe activities of identified problem gambler or banned players. Thebiometric information may be used to restrict illegal activities suchas, but not limited to, money laundering, counterfeiting, or underagegambling. For example, the gaming establishment system 100 may make adetermination of the age of the patron 102 based on the biometricinformation. If the gaming establishment system 100 cannot verify an ageof the patron 102 based on the biometric information (e.g., within aselect percentage of certainty), the gaming establishment system 100 mayprovide an alert that an age verification should be performed (e.g., byan attendant) before allowing the patron 102 to participate in anywagering games. In the case of an automated game, the device may pauseoperation until an override can be provided after the age of thepatron102 is addressed. The biometric information may be used toauthenticate or provide additional security measures for electronicfunds transfer authorization, transaction auditing, or account basedgaming.

In some embodiments, the biometric information may be used to provideplayer-centric gaming. For example, once the patron 102 is identifiedthrough the obtained biometric information, a game may be reconfiguredaccording to the patron's 102 previously established preferences.

In some embodiments, the patron's 102 game state or game data may beassociated with the biometric information. The game state or game datamay be saved and later retrieved by the patron 102 based on the samebiometric information received on a gaming device having a biometricinput device.

In some embodiments, the gaming establishment system 100 may be accessedby and/or may push information to a mobile device 128 (e.g., where theplayer has provided such information). For example, the computer 124 maynotify the patron 102 of awards that the patron 102 has received via themobile device 128. In some embodiments, the computer 124 may sendnotifications to the patron 102 regarding incentives for participatingin games, activities, and/or events provided by the gamingestablishment. For example, where the patron 102 is not recognized bythe gaming establishment system 100, the computer 124 may provide anotification and/or incentive (e.g., a nominal wagering credit) for thepatron 102 to provide additional information to create a known accountin the gaming establishment system 100.

In some embodiments, the patron 102 may utilize the mobile device 128 toconnect to and check the status of aspects of the patron's 102 account.

A players club 130 (e.g., with associated camera device 132 foridentifying the patron 102) may be associated with the gamingestablishment system 100 where in person and/or automated attendants mayassist the patron 102 in setting up and/or maintaining an associatedaccount. For example, an anonymous account may be converted into a knownaccount by providing additional information (e.g., name, address, phonenumber, email address, biographical information, demographicinformation, etc.). As noted above, in order to incentivize the patron102 to set up such an account, the gaming establishment system 100 mayoffer the patron 102 one or more incentives, awards, and/or promotions(e.g., via the mobile device 128 and/or on displays associated withdevices of the gaming establishment system 100) for creating such anaccount.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a network system 200 (e.g., which maybe part of, or for use with, the gaming establishment system 100 ofFIG. 1) for handling the data associated with the identification of thepatron 102 (FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 2, one or more devices (e.g.,gaming devices, non-gaming devices, etc.) may include one or moreassociated devices for obtaining information relating to the patron 102(e.g., biometric information). For example, one or more slot machines202 with one or more associated camera devices 204, one or more bartopgaming devices 206 with one or more associated camera devices 208,and/or one or more tablet gaming devices 210 (e.g., with integratedcamera devices) may be in communication (e.g., connected to) the gamingestablishment network 216. Other gaming devices or non-gaming devices,such as those discussed above, may also be implemented on the networksystem 200, along with additional identification devices (e.g., cameradevices) that are associated with or unassociated with gaming devices ornon-gaming devices.

In some embodiments, one or more of the devices 202, 206, 210 may beconfigured for lottery-type gaming, for example, where the gamingestablishment may be a retail store that provides lottery gaming, suchas a gas station, convenience store, grocery store, or another type oflottery establishment). For example, the one or more of the devices 202,206, 210 may comprises an automated lottery machine that provideslottery tickets directly to a user without the need for an attendant.

Regardless of the wagering game or other service being implemented, thedevices 202, 206, 210 may be configured to provide an age-verificationservice utilizing the biometric information obtained by the associatedidentification devices (e.g., camera devices 204, 208) where a user mayonly access the devices 202, 206, 210 after the user's age has beenverified (e.g., generally without the need for human intervention in theverification process, as discussed above).

As depicted, the devices 202, 206, 210 may be connected to the gamingestablishment network 216 via wireless and/or wireless connections. Thedevices 202, 206, 210 may include a computer or processing component(e.g., one or single board computers 212, with associated processors andmemory), which may be part of, or separate from, the camera devices 204,208 that assist in acquiring (e.g., processing, sorting, transmitting,etc.) images from the camera devices 204, 208. The single boardcomputers 212 may be coupled to a switch 214 (e.g., a power overEthernet (PoE) switch) that connects to the gaming establishment network216 (e.g., which may be a local network 200 at the gamingestablishment).

The gaming establishment network 216 may be connected to local or remotedevice in order pass data (e.g., biometric information, such as, facialrecognition data, object recognition data, etc.) for analysis and/orstorage. For example, the network 200 may be connected to a local serverat the gaming establishment (e.g., gaming establishment server 218). Thegaming establishment server 218 may comprise a central control system ofthe devices 202, 206, 210 and/or may store information related to theplayers (e.g., a players club database). In some embodiments, the gamingestablishment server 218 may include local backup storage for a remoteserver or cloud, software-defined storage (SDS), and/or a certificatemanagement protocol (CMP) server.

As depicted, the gaming establishment network 216 may be connected toone or more local or remote servers (e.g., cloud servers 220) that mayfurther process the data collected at the devices 202, 206, 210. Forexample, facial or object recognition data may be passed to the cloudservers 220 in order to find a match for the facial or objectrecognition data. In some embodiments, recognition software (e.g.,programmed via machine learning) may be utilized to analyze the facialor object recognition data and to determine if a match exists in adatabase on the cloud servers 220. Such machine learning may beaccomplished by training a computer (e.g., cloud servers 220) torecognize objects, recognize human features, and/or to otherwise handleor process inputted data by inputting examples into the computer (e.g.,real or virtual representations). In some embodiments, such machinelearning for use in a gaming establishment may be similar to thatdisclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/864,634,filed Jun. 21, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein inits entirety by this reference.

In the case of a player's identity, if a match is found, the cloudservers 220 may match the known identity (e.g., anonymous or withassociated personal information) of the player (e.g., the identificationnumber 126 (FIG. 1)) such that data received from the devices 202, 206,210 can be matched to the identification of the player and storedlocally and/or remotely (e.g., on the gaming establishment server 218,on the cloud servers 220). As above, if no match it found, a newidentification number 126 (FIG. 1) may be assigned to track the activityof the player.

In some embodiments, when an identity of the patron 102 (e.g., anonymousor known) in the gaming establishment is assigned, that identity may bestored locally (e.g., at computer 212, server 218) for a period of time(e.g., for an expected period of time that the patron 102 may remain inthe gaming establishment, until the patron's 102 leaves the view of acamera, etc.).

The data stored relating to the players may be utilized to analyze theplayers' behavior, for example, resulting in the ability for the gamingestablishment to customize incentive offered to the player in order toenhance the relationship between the gaming establishment and the player(e.g., to entice the player to spend more money, resources, and/or timeat the gaming establishment). For example, the data may be utilized todetermine the amount spent and/or wagered by the player, the amount won,items purchased, days and time of day when the player visits, favoriteor most played games, types of wagering, food and good preferences, etc.

As above, in some embodiments, additional camera devices 222 (e.g.,which may also be configured as security cameras and/or may be part ofan AI system as discussed above) may be placed throughout the gamingestablishment (e.g., around the locale of the devices 202, 206, 210) inorder to identify selected activity of individuals in the gamingestablishment (e.g., whether they are engaging with the devices 202,206, 210 or not).

While the above embodiments generally disclose the use of identificationdevices for recognizing biometric information from a patron or player,other embodiments may implement the use of such devices for identifyingother features associated with the player or patron, alternative from,or in addition to, the identification of biometric information. Forexample, FIG. 3 illustrates a gaming establishment system 300 that maybe implemented at a gaming establishment in order to monitor theactivity of a user (e.g., player) or other related items. As shown inFIG. 3, a support surface (e.g., gaming table 302) may support one ormore displays (e.g., one or more table screens 304) positioned onopposing sides of the table 302. Table screens 304 may be utilized toprovide information relating to the game (e.g., table limits, bonus orjackpot information, etc.), advertisements, promotions, and/or feeds ofother games or events to the players at the table 302.

Identification devices (e.g., player camera devices 306) may bepositioned about the table 302 (e.g., on a stand with the table screens304). The player camera devices 306 may be utilized to identifybiometric information from the players at the table 302, for example, ina similar manner to that discussed above.

One or more additional identification devices may be utilized toidentify portions of the players and/or objects associated with theplayers. For example, table camera devices 308 (e.g., positioned on astand with the table screens 304) and may be utilized to detect thehands and/or arms of the players and/or objects associated with theplayers (e.g., cards, chips, currency, and/or other objects on the table302). In some embodiments, the table camera devices 308 may be utilizedto detect an amount of a wager or other currency (e.g., a buy-in) placedby a player on the table 302. In some embodiments, the table cameradevices 308 may identify (e.g., and track) movement of the player at thetable (e.g., when the player approaches and leaves the table 302,movement of the player's arms and/or hands about the table 302, as theplayer interacts with objects on the table 302, personal items of theplayer near or on the table 302).

While the player camera devices 306 for identifying biometricinformation and the table camera devices 308 have been discussed aboveas separate elements, in other embodiments, such elements may becombined in a single device.

As above, data from the camera devices 306, 308 may be communicated tothe gaming establishment network 216 and to the gaming establishmentserver 218 and/or cloud servers 220 (e.g., optionally through the singleboard computers 212). For example, the biometric information from theplayer camera devices 306 may be supplied for identification of theplayers in a manner similar to that discussed above.

Data from the table camera devices 308 may be supplied to the gamingestablishment server 218 and/or cloud servers 220 to identify theobjects captured by the table camera devices 308. For example,recognition software (e.g., programmed via machine learning) may beutilized to identify the objects (e.g., match in a database, recognizethrough machine learning, etc.) at the gaming establishment server 218and/or cloud servers 220. In embodiments where an amount of wagers(e.g., one wagering chip or a stack of wagering chips, of identical ormixed values) is identified, the amount of wagering of each player maybe identified and tracked for use by the gaming establishment asdiscussed above. Further, the efficiency and security of the table 302may be increased by identifying the wagers, in order to verify wageredamount, especially in the case of a bonus or jackpot payout. As notedabove, other objects may be identified and tracked, such as, forexample, motions of the players (e.g., the player's arms and/or hands asthe player interacts with the table 302 and items thereon), objectsassociated with the players (e.g., currency, drinks, mobile devices,etc.). For example, the gaming establishment may monitor the status ofthe player's drink and alert an attendant if a refill is needed. In someembodiments, the gaming establishment may monitor the posture and/orbody language of the players and take action as necessary (e.g., byintervening with a bonus or promotion in order to incentives theplayer). In some embodiments, the gaming establishment may utilize theinformation for security purposes by monitoring if the player indicatessigns of cheating, inebriation, and/or undesirable emotional states andmay monitor interaction of the players with items on the table (e.g., tomonitor for misuse or misallocation of game elements, such as, cards,chips, dice, balls, etc. or wagering implementations).

As depicted, the table screens 304 may be connected to the gamingestablishment network 216, the gaming establishment server 218, and/orcloud servers 220 in order to control the content displayed on the tablescreens 304 at the table 302.

The gaming establishment system 300 may include additional gamingimplements for performing the game (e.g., card handling device 310, suchas a card shuffler, sorter, and/or shoe, chippers, roulette wheels,etc.). For example, the card handling device 310, which may include acard recognition device for detecting the value and/or rank of theplaying cards, may be coupled to the gaming establishment network 216(e.g., via Ethernet switch 214). A device computer 312 and/or externaldisplay 314 may be coupled to the card handling device 310 and/or thegaming establishment network 216. In some embodiments, the devicecomputer 312 may track data from the shuffler and display that data tothe dealer and/or other attendants of the gaming establishment (e.g.,via display 314). Data relating to the cards present in and/or dealtfrom the card handling device 310 may be identified and tracked byproviding that data from the card handling device 310 and/or devicecomputer 312 to the gaming establishment server 218 and/or cloud servers220. Such data (e.g., along with other data relating to the positions ofplayers at the table 302) may be utilized to assign cards or anassociated hand to each player enabling the gaming establishment system300 to further track and verify the cards attributed to each playerduring each game (e.g., to verify hand composition in the event of abonus or jackpot event and/or to track the gaming trends or habits ofeach player).

In some embodiments, the gaming establishment system 300 may include oneor more mobile devices (e.g., tablet 316) to enable a local or remoteuser to monitor and/or participate in the wagering games being performedat the table 302.

In some embodiments, the gaming establishment system 300 may include oneor more external displays (e.g., screen 318, screen 320) that may enablea local or remote user to monitor the wagering games being performed atthe table 302.

FIG. 4 illustrates a gaming establishment system 400 that may beimplemented at a gaming establishment in order to monitor the activityof a dealer or other game attendant, a user (e.g., player) or otherrelated items. In some embodiments, the gaming establishment system 400may include similar devices and elements to that discussed above. Asshown in FIG. 4, a support surface (e.g., table 302 with table surface402, an augmented table game) may include one or more table screens 304(e.g., with associated camera devices 306, 308). The gamingestablishment system 400 may include a display device (e.g., projectiondevice 404, table screens 304, an external display over the table 302, amobile device, etc.) configured to display one or more graphics (e.g.,animation, videos, text, images, etc.) at the table 302 (e.g., on thetable surface 402). For example, the projection device 404 may bepositioned on one lateral side of the table 302 (e.g., opposite thetable screen 304) and may project one or more features of a table gameon the table surface 402. In some embodiments, where the table 302includes a table screen 304 on one lateral side and the projectiondevice 404 on the opposing side, camera devices 306, 308 may bepositioned proximate or on the projection device 404. In someembodiments, the image displayed from the projection device 404 may bemapped to the table 302 in a setup configuration in order to ensure thatthe images are displayed in the desired location on the table 302.

As depicted, the projection device 404 may display a prize selectionfeature (e.g., a prize or spin wheel 406) and one or more wageringfeatures (e.g., a bonus wager area 408, wager area 410). In someembodiments, the projection device 404 may define, supplement, and/orduplicate the boundaries of such areas on the gaming surface. Inadditional embodiments, other features of the table 302 may bedisplayed, such as, for example, game information areas, gamingimplement areas (e.g., card areas, dice area, etc.), bonus areas, videoor still image feeds (e.g., advertisements, videos of other gamingand/or sporting events), drink area, side games, etc. As discussedbelow, the projection device 404 may be aligned with selected sectionsof the table surface 402 (e.g., printed boundaries of the wager area410, boundaries of other object areas, etc.) such that the imagesprojected may interact (e.g., visually appear to interact) with theobjects and/or areas (e.g., images displayed may appear to interact witha wager placed in a wager area 410 in order to highlight the placing ofsuch a wager.

In some embodiments, the projection device 404 may project images and/orvideo (i.e., a visual display element), along with associated soundeffects (e.g., from a speaker of the projection device 404 and/orexternal speaker located proximate the table 302) upon the occurrence ofselected events. For example, selected events at the table 302 (e.g., aselected wager, outcome, and/or bonus) may trigger a visual and/or audioevent that is displayed on the table 302. As above, the projectiondevice 404 may configured (e.g., aligned with certain elements of thetable surface) to highlight such selected events by projecting theimages in a manner that the images appear to interact with (e.g.,positioned proximate, adjacent to, and/or projected over or on) thelocation of such objects associated with the selected event (e.g., chipstack, card, print on felt).

In an embodiment, prize wheel 406 may be displayed upon the occurrenceof a selected outcome (e.g., a bonus event) where the prize wheel 406may be spun (e.g., by the player as discussed below) in order todetermine a prize outcome based on the prize wheel 406. In someembodiments, the gaming establishment system 400 may monitor motions ofthe players (e.g., movement of the player's hand and/or arm, gestures ofthe players, etc.) with the table camera devices 308 to enable theplayer to interact with (e.g., spin) the virtual prize wheel 406 that isdisplayed on the table 302. For example, the table camera devices 308may track a player's hand such that the prize wheel 406 is engaged withthe player's hand once the player's hand is positioned at the table 302proximate the prize wheel 406. Once the player's hand or portion thereof(e.g., fingers) is within a threshold area or volume proximate the prizewheel 406, the prize wheel 406 may engage with the player's hand andmove in unison with the player's hand. For example, substantially sideto side movement of the player's hand detected by the table cameradevices 308 will cause corresponding movement on the prize wheel 406(e.g., corresponding forward and backward rotation). A threshold eventof the player swiping their hand (e.g., movement at a selected velocity)as detected by the table camera devices 308 will result in the prizewheel 406 beginning a spinning event (e.g., where the player's movementno longer effects the prize wheel 406 as it spins, slows, and then landson a selected segment corresponding to a selected award or prize).

In additional embodiments, the gaming establishment system 400 may beconfigured that selected motions by the player may further dictatemovement of the prize wheel 406 (e.g., to slow or stop the prize wheel406).

In some embodiments, the gaming establishment system 400 may beconfigured to detect a hovering position of the player's hand, where theprize wheel 406 is only engaged once the player lowers their hand to athreshold height about the table surface 402.

In additional embodiments, another feature, virtual (e.g., a projectedbutton, dial, switch, etc.) or physical, may be utilized to interactwith a projected element on the table 302, such as the prize wheel 406(e.g., a virtual or physical button that is pressed in order to startthe spinning of the prize wheel 406).

In some embodiments, the interaction of the players with the table 302(e.g., placing of selected wagers and/or a selected outcome based on aselected wager, interaction with other gaming elements, such as cards,balls, dice, chips, etc., or combinations thereof) may trigger a displayelement by the projection device 404. For example, when a selected wageris placed (e.g., a bonus or jackpot wager at bonus wager area 408 and/ora wager at wager area 410), such an action as observed by the tablecamera devices 308 by monitoring a betting area may trigger anaccompanying visual and/or audio event that is displayed on the table302 in order to enhance the wagering game.

As above, the table camera devices 306, 308 may be utilized to monitorvarious areas of the table 302 and/or motions of the players, ormovements of objects being manipulated by the players and/or dealer, inorder to effect and/or enhance the observed triggering event byhighlighting a win, a fold, a payout, a bonus, a side wager, etc.

While projection device 404 is shown as a short-throw front projector,other embodiments may include other types of front, side, and/or rearprojection. Further, as noted above, additional embodiments may includeother display devices instead of, or in addition to, the projectiondevice 404.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a method of monitoring a patron in agaming establishment that may performed by methods and/or systems (e.g.,systems 100, 200, 300, 400 in FIGS. 1 through 4) discussed above (e.g.,patron 102 of gaming establishment system 100 as discussed withreference to FIG. 1). For example, in block 502, at a first gaminglocation in the gaming establishment (e.g., a gaming device such asthose discussed above, such as devices 202, 206, 210 (FIG. 2)) at leastone physical feature (e.g., facial features, other biometricinformation) associated with the patron of the gaming establishment maybe detected with one or more detection devices (e.g., the camera devicesdiscussed above).

In block 504, a processor (e.g., computer 124, gaming establishmentserver 218, cloud servers 220) receives the at least one detectedphysical feature.

In block 506, the processor may analyze at least a portion of the atleast one detected physical feature to identify a patron. As above, theidentification of the patron may initially be anonymous (e.g., may beused or solely used for the purpose of distinguishing or differentiatingone patron from other patrons) where the patron may not even be awarethat their activity is being monitored. For example, while the patronmay or may not have an identity known by the system, that identity maybe limited to activity in the gaming establishment along with thedetected features without any personal information related to thepatron. As discussed above, one or more actions may be taken (e.g. bythe patron) in order to associated personal identification with theidentity in the system where the identification by the system would nolonger be anonymous.

In block 508, the processor may associate data from the first gaminglocation with an account associated with the patron (e.g., by creating anew account if no previous match is found or by adding the data to a newaccount if a match is found).

In block 510, another detection device at a second non-gaming locationin the gaming establishment may detect, with another detection device(e.g., a device similar to the first detection device above, but at adiffering location in the gaming establishment) the at least onephysical feature associated with the patron of the gaming establishment.

In block 512, the processor again receives the at least one detectedphysical feature.

In block 514, the processor again analyzes the at least a portion of theat least one detected physical feature to identify the patron.

In block 516, the processor adds and/or updates additional data from thesecond non-gaming location to the account associated with the patron.

As above, such data from multiple locations associated with the gamingestablishment may be matched and stored in order to monitor the patronas they move about the gaming establishment between both gaming andnon-gaming areas (e.g., shopping, restaurants, events, etc.) of thegaming establishment system. As above, while the patron may be initiallyanonymously identified in the system, the account may be later linked topersonal information relating to the patron (e.g., if the patronprovides such information, which may enable the patron to access theaccount and/or receive information relating to the account, for example,with a mobile device).

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of administering a wagering game that mayperformed by methods and/or systems discussed above (e.g., systems 100,200, 300, 400 in FIGS. 1 through 4)). For example, in block 602, aprojection device (e.g., projection device 404 (FIG. 4)) projects afeature of the game at a projection location on a gaming surface of agaming device (e.g., gaming surface 402 of table 302 (FIG. 4)) uponwhich the game is implemented.

In block 604, one or more identification devices (e.g., the cameradevices discussed above) may track motions of one or more playersparticipating in the game at the gaming surface of the gaming device(e.g., hand movement, arm movement, motion, gestures, etc.).

In block 606, in response to the motions of the one or more playersproximate the projection location, one or more portions of the systemmay alter the feature of the game with projection device. For example,movement of a player may be tracked such that the player may appear tospin a virtual feature (e.g., spin wheel) that is virtually projected ona surface of gaming device.

As above, such monitoring and/or tracking, along with the projectiondevice, may be utilized to project images on the gaming surface and totrack players' interactions with the projections. In additionalembodiments, objects or other items associated with the gaming devicemay be tracked by the system (e.g., wagering chips, drinks, rouletteballs, dice, bet markers, the front and/or backs of playing cards, andother personal items placed on the surface by the players, etc.). Forexample, the number of cards (e.g., and the value/rank of the cards) maybe tracked based on the rule of the game being implemented.

In some embodiments, images may be projected in association with thetracked objects or other items. For example, the projection device maybe configured (e.g., aligned) to project one or more images at certainlocations or around certain object on the gaming surface. As above, theprojection device may be aligned with areas where wagers are to be madesuch that the images may appear to interact with wagers as they areplaced in the designated wagering areas. For example, the projectiondevice may be aligned with areas that are marked on the gaming table(e.g., printed boundaries of wager, cards, and/or other item areas). Insome embodiments, the projection device may define, supplement, and/orduplicate the boundaries of such area on the gaming surface. Additionalembodiments may include similar alignments with other objects and/orareas on the gaming surface (e.g., chip stack, card, print on felt)where the system is aligned such that the images projected may interact(e.g., visually appear to interact) with the objects and/or areas.

While some of the example embodiments have been described with relationto a gaming environment, it will be appreciated that the above conceptscan also be used in various non-gaming environments. For example, suchmonitoring and associated inceptives and/or rewards can be used inconjunction with purchasing products, e.g., gasoline or groceries,associated with vending machines, used with mobile devices or any otherform of electronic communications. Accordingly, the disclosure may beimplemented on or by, but should not be limited strictly to, gamingcasinos, arcades, portal based game sites, cellular phone devices,personal digital assistant devices, laptops, personal computers, homegame consoles, bar top gaming devices, table gaming devices, surfacecomputing devices, table gaming biometric touch screen, televisiongaming, or in-room gaming devices.

In some embodiments, the instant disclosure may provide informationrelating to a patron or player in a gaming establishment over an arrayof gaming and non-gaming offerings to enable analysis of specific buyingand/or gaming habits, such as whether a specific player exhibits anyparticular patterns, whether the player prefers a specific game, howoften the player purchases, and whether the player is a high valuecustomer. Other valuable business intelligence data obtained in suchsystems and related methods may enable the capturing of information onretail statistics as they relate to demographic based player habitsaccording to gender and approximate age. For example, embodiments of theinstant disclosure may implement the use of biometric data to provide alow-friction approach to accessing patron loyalty systems (e.g., withanonymous or known players) in order to provide rewards and/or to tailormarketing of gaming products according to player preferences. Further,biometric data may enhance security systems related to various gamingproducts. Gaming and non-gaming environments, such as casinos, lotteryestablishments, race tracks, grocery or convenience stores, retailstores, public events, and restaurants, may similarly benefit from thecollection of facial biometric data.

In some embodiments, the instant disclosure may provide the ability toenhance player experiences at gaming devices by monitoring itemsassociated with the gaming device and/or by monitoring movement of theplayers at the gaming device. In some embodiments, features associatedwith a wagering game (e.g., a prize or spin wheel) may be virtuallyprojected on a gaming surface. The tracking of player movements mayenable the players to interact with the virtual, projected feature as ifit was a physical part of the gaming device (e.g., to spin the prizewheel for a bonus). Further, some embodiments may be utilized to trackitems on a gaming surface (e.g., one or a stack of wagering chips),and/or players interactions on the gaming surface or with items thereon,to monitor certain objects on the gaming surface as the players interactwith the objects (e.g., in order to verify wagers as they are placed onthe wagering surface and/or monitor/verify hands of cards on the table).

The embodiments of the disclosure described above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings do not limit the scope of the disclosure, which isencompassed by the scope of the appended claims and their legalequivalents. Any equivalent embodiments are within the scope of thisdisclosure. Indeed, various modifications of the disclosure, in additionto those shown and described herein, such as alternate usefulcombinations of the elements described, will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the description. Such modifications andembodiments also fall within the scope of the appended claims andequivalents.

Non-limiting, example embodiments are listed below.

Embodiment 1: A method of monitoring a patron in a gaming establishment,the method comprising: at a first gaming location in the gamingestablishment, detecting, with a detection device, at least one physicalfeature associated with the patron of the gaming establishment;receiving, at a processor, the at least one detected physical feature;analyzing, with the processor, at least a portion of the at least onedetected physical feature to identify a patron; associating, with theprocessor, data from the first gaming location with an accountassociated with the patron; at a second non-gaming location in thegaming establishment, detecting, with another detection device, the atleast one physical feature associated with the patron of the gamingestablishment; receiving, at the processor, the at least one detectedphysical feature; analyzing, with the processor, the at least a portionof the at least one detected physical feature to identify the patron;and adding additional data from the second non-gaming location to theaccount associated with the patron.

Embodiment 2: The method of Embodiment 1, further comprising:configuring the account to initially lack any personal data related tothe patron; updating the account with personal information related tothe patron to create a known account; and providing information to thepatron relating to the known account via a device linked to the knownaccount.

Embodiment 3: A system for monitoring a patron in a gamingestablishment, the system comprising: a biometric identification device;a remote processor; and a gaming device; the system configured to: atthe gaming device in the gaming establishment, detect, with thebiometric identification device, facial features associated with apatron at the gaming establishment; receive, at the remote processor,the facial features and data relating to actions of the patron at thegaming device; analyze, with the remote processor, at least a portion ofthe facial features; determine whether an account associated with thepatron exists based on the analyzing of the facial features; andassociate the data relating to actions of the patron at the gamingdevice with the account associated with the patron.

Embodiment 4: The system of Embodiment 3, wherein the system is furtherconfigured to: update the account with personal information related tothe patron to create a known account; and send information to the patronrelating to the known account via a device linked to the known account.

Embodiment 5: A method of administering a game, the method comprising:displaying, with a display device, a feature of the game at a displaylocation on a gaming surface of a gaming device upon which the game isimplemented; tracking, with one or more identification devices, motionsof one or more players participating in the game at the gaming surfaceof the gaming device; and in response to the motions of the one or moreplayers proximate the display location, altering the projected featureof the game with the display device.

Embodiment 6: The method of Embodiment 5, wherein altering the featureof the game with the display device comprises moving the feature of thegame comprising a prize wheel in correlation with motions of the one ormore players proximate the prize wheel.

Embodiment 7: The method of Embodiment 6, further comprising enablingthe one or more players to spin the prize wheel and projecting a resultof the spin.

Embodiment 8: The method of Embodiments 6 or 7, further comprising, oncea hand of the one or more players has traveled within a threshold volumeproximate the prize wheel, locking movement of the prize wheel tofurther movement of the hand of the one or more players.

Embodiment 9: The method of any one of Embodiments 5 through 8, furthercomprising: aligning the feature of the game with one or more areas ofthe gaming surface; and projecting the feature of the game at the one ormore areas of the gaming surface in response to an occurrence ofselected event in the game.

Embodiment 10: The method of any one of Embodiments 5 through 8, whereinaltering the feature of the game with the display device comprisesdisplaying a video element on the gaming surface of the gaming devicealong with accompanying audio.

Embodiment 11: The method of any one of Embodiments 5 through 8, whereintracking motions of the one or more players comprising: monitoring theone or more players placing a wager with the one or more identificationdevices; and projecting the feature of the game in response to placementof the wager at a select location on the gaming surface.

Embodiment 12: The method of any one of Embodiments 5 through 8, furthercomprising monitoring at least one additional element associated withthe gaming device with the one or more identification devices.

Embodiment 13: The method of Embodiment 12, wherein monitoring the atleast one additional element comprising detecting, with the one or moreidentification devices, an amount of a wager placed by the one or moreplayer by analyzing one or more wagering chips.

Embodiment 14: The method of Embodiments 12 or 13, further comprisingdetecting, with the one or more identification devices, biometricinformation from the one or more players.

Embodiment 15: A system for administering a wagering game, the systemcomprising: a gaming device having a gaming surface for performing thewagering game thereon; a display device positioned proximate the gamingsurface and configured to display one or more images on the gamingsurface; and one or more identification devices; the system configuredto: detect, with the one or more identification devices, a featureassociated with a player participating in the wagering game at thegaming surface; and, in response to detection the feature associatedwith the player participating in the wagering game, project, with thedisplay device, a feature of the wagering game at a display location onthe gaming surface.

Embodiment 16: The system of Embodiment 15, wherein the system isfurther configured to: align the one or more images with one or moreareas of the gaming surface; and projecting the one or more images atthe one or more areas of the gaming surface in response to an occurrenceof selected event in the game.

Embodiment 17: The system of Embodiments 15 or 16, wherein the displaydevice comprises a projection device.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of monitoring a patron in a gamingestablishment, comprising: at a first gaming location in the gamingestablishment, detecting, with a detection device, at least one physicalfeature associated with the patron of the gaming establishment;receiving, at a processor, the at least one detected physical feature;analyzing, with the processor, at least a portion of the at least onedetected physical feature to anonymously identify a patron; associating,with the processor, data from the first gaming location with ananonymous account associated with the patron; at a second non-gaminglocation in the gaming establishment, detecting, with another detectiondevice, the at least one physical feature associated with the patron ofthe gaming establishment; receiving, at the processor, the at least onedetected physical feature; analyzing, with the processor, the at least aportion of the at least one detected physical feature to identify thepatron; and adding additional data from the second non-gaming locationto the account associated with the patron; and updating the anonymousaccount with personal information provided by the patron to create aknown account.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the at leasta portion of the at least one detected feature comprising comparing,with the processor, the at least a portion of the at least one detectedfeature comprising at least one image with a database of stored images.3. The method of claim 2, further comprising detecting a match betweenthe at least one image and the stored images.
 4. The method of claim 2,wherein comparing the at least a portion of the at least one detectedfeature comprises utilizing machine learning to identify the at least aportion of the at least one detected feature.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising obtaining biometric information from the patron withthe detection device comprising a biometric identification device. 6.The method of claim 5, further comprising providing facial recognitionimages of the patron from the biometric information with the detectiondevice.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: communicating theat least a portion of the at least one detected physical feature to acloud server; and analyzing the facial recognition images with the cloudserver; and returning data from the cloud server indicating whether amatch for the at least a portion of the at least one detected physicalfeature was found in the cloud server.
 8. A method of monitoring apatron in a gaming establishment, comprising: at a first gaming locationin the gaming establishment, detecting, with a detection device, atleast one physical feature associated with the patron of the gamingestablishment; receiving, at a processor, the at least one detectedphysical feature; analyzing, with the processor, at least a portion ofthe at least one detected physical feature to identify a patron;associating, with the processor, data from the first gaming locationwith an account associated with the patron; at a second non-gaminglocation in the gaming establishment, detecting, with another detectiondevice, the at least one physical feature associated with the patron ofthe gaming establishment; receiving, at the processor, the at least onedetected physical feature; analyzing, with the processor, the at least aportion of the at least one detected physical feature to identify thepatron; and adding additional data from the second non-gaming locationto the account associated with the patron.
 9. The method of claim 8,further comprising: configuring the account to initially lack anypersonal data related to the patron; updating the account with personalinformation related to the patron to create a known account; andproviding information to the patron relating to the known account via adevice linked to the known account.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereindetecting the at least one physical feature associated with the patronof the gaming establishment comprises obtaining biometric informationfrom the patron with the detection device comprising a biometricidentification device.
 11. A system for monitoring a patron in a gamingestablishment, comprising: a biometric identification device; a remoteprocessor; and a gaming device; the system configured to: at the gamingdevice in the gaming establishment, detect, with the biometricidentification device, facial features associated with a patron at thegaming establishment; receive, at the remote processor, the facialfeatures and data relating to actions of the patron at the gamingdevice; analyze, with the remote processor, at least a portion of thefacial features; determine whether an account associated with the patronexists based on the analyzing of the facial features; and associate thedata relating to actions of the patron at the gaming device with theaccount associated with the patron.
 12. The system of claim 11, whereinthe system is further configured to: update the account with personalinformation related to the patron to create a known account; and sendinformation to the patron relating to the known account via a devicelinked to the known account.
 13. A method of administering a game, themethod comprising: displaying, with a display device, a feature of thegame at a display location on a gaming surface of a gaming device uponwhich the game is implemented; tracking, with one or more identificationdevices, motions of one or more players participating in the game at thegaming surface of the gaming device; and in response to the motions ofthe one or more players proximate the display location, altering theprojected feature of the game with the display device.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein altering the feature of the game with the displaydevice comprises moving the feature of the game comprising a prize wheelin correlation with motions of the one or more players proximate theprize wheel.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising enabling theone or more players to spin the prize wheel and projecting a result ofthe spin.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising, once a hand ofthe one or more players has traveled within a threshold volume proximatethe prize wheel, locking movement of the prize wheel to further movementof the hand of the one or more players.
 17. The method of claim 13,further comprising: aligning the feature of the game with one or moreareas of the gaming surface; and projecting the feature of the game atthe one or more areas of the gaming surface in response to an occurrenceof selected event in the game.
 18. The method of claim 13, whereinaltering the feature of the game with the display device comprisesdisplaying a video element on the gaming surface of the gaming devicealong with accompanying audio.
 19. The method of claim 13, whereintracking motions of the one or more players comprising: monitoring theone or more players placing a wager with the one or more identificationdevices; and projecting the feature of the game in response to placementof the wager at a select location on the gaming surface.
 20. The methodof claim 13, further comprising monitoring at least one additionalelement associated with the gaming device with the one or moreidentification devices.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein monitoringthe at least one additional element comprising detecting, with the oneor more identification devices, an amount of a wager placed by the oneor more player by analyzing one or more wagering chips.
 22. The methodof claim 20, further comprising detecting, with the one or moreidentification devices, biometric information from the one or moreplayers.
 23. A system for administering a wagering game, the systemcomprising: a gaming device having a gaming surface for performing thewagering game thereon; a display device positioned proximate the gamingsurface and configured to display one or more images on the gamingsurface; and one or more identification devices; the system configuredto: detect, with the one or more identification devices, a featureassociated with a player participating in the wagering game at thegaming surface; and in response to detection the feature associated withthe player participating in the wagering game, project, with the displaydevice, a feature of the wagering game at a display location on thegaming surface.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the system isfurther configured to: align the one or more images with one or moreareas of the gaming surface; and projecting the one or more images atthe one or more areas of the gaming surface in response to an occurrenceof selected event in the game.
 25. The system of claim 23, wherein hedisplay device comprises a projection device.